Thursday’s regional semifinal games averaged a 7.3 rating/14 share, based on Nielsen overnights, up 4% from last year’s 7.0/12 for the equivalent round of action, the companies reported. Ratings rose even with three of the four games being decided by 10 points or more.

For the tournament to date, coverage across the four networks — TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV — is averaging a gross rating/share of 6.4/14, based on Nielsen overnights, up 5% from a 6.1/13 for the tournament to date in 2012.